6 symptoms you should not ignore

We do not pay attention to minor health issues that we face in our day-to-day life. We mostly ignore them by taking pain killers or any other over-the-counter or nonprescription (OTC) drugs. Or just simply leave it on time to heal. However, when symptoms persist, we get alerted!

Sometimes, by the time we react, it is too late. To avoid such a situation, it’s better we pay heed and try to understand the warning signs given by our body.

Early identification of certain symptoms can save life. We’re not implying that every mild headache or bout of vomiting indicate ‘cancer’, but being alert is necessary.

Here are a few symptoms or warnings that we must pay heed to because these might not be as ‘normal’ as we think or want them to be-

Abdominal Pain- Stomach pain can mean a lot of things. Sudden and severe pain often indicates aortic aneurysm (rupturing of the bulge present in aorta, the largest blood vessel in the body, due to its weakening). If the pain in abdomen is accompanied by nausea and vomiting, it could possibly be gallstones, and you should look for medical help immediately.

Chest Pain- No matter what your age is, you should raise an alarm when you have chest pain. Sweating, shortness of breath, pressure or nausea accompanied by chest pain, clearly indicate you might be suffering from a heart disease or having an heart attack. In this case, you should seek immediate medical assistance. It is not necessary that chest pain always means a heart stroke. Many-a-time it could be gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD, a digestive disorder that causes burning sensation in the stomach, is not fatal, but it could be serious and you might require medical attention.

Drastic Weight Loss- Losing weight without trying is nothing to be happy about. If you lose more than 5% of your weight within 6 months, it could be a symptom of any of these diseases: Cancer, depression, Parkinson’s disease, endocrine disorders and diabetes.

Intense Headaches- Aneurysm or bursting of a blood vessel in the brain could be an explanation for those sudden, unexplained headaches. Apart from this, severe headaches could also be a sign of meningitis or shingles. See a doctor immediately if you feel numbness, dizziness or lose balance along with the headaches.

Shortness of Breath- Shortness of breath could be a sign of extremely severe diseases, such as blood clot or pulmonary diseases. Other reasons for shortness of breath can be asthma, bronchitis or anxiety. Feeling short of breath after a strenuous workout is normal and is nothing to worry about. But if it persists, even after lying down and resting, then it’s definitely a warning.

Unusual Bleeding- Blood in the urine indicates kidney or bladder infections. If you vomit or cough up blood, it could be a signal for lung or esophageal cancers. Ulcers and colon cancer can trigger rectal bleeding or dark stools. Vaginal bleeding, long after menopause, may happen due to growth of benign polyps or fibroids.

Apart from the above mentioned common symptoms, signs such as persistent fever, flashes of light or unexplained sudden confusion, should not be ignored. Don’t casually dismiss the signs your body tries to tell you. It is always better to be safe than sorry!